Assad gives defiant speech as rebels edge closer

[NewsCaster]

Nearly two years after the beginning of a civil war in Syria, an estimated 60,000 people have died. In a rare speech Sunday, President Bashar al-Assad refused to end the conflict. NBC's Stephanie Gosk reports.By NBC News and wire servicesUpdated at 4:52 p.m. ET: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday outlined what was billed as a new peace initiative that included a national reconciliation conference and a new constitution in a rare speech about the uprising against his rule, which has killed an estimated 60,000 people and brought civil war to the edge of his capital.

His foes reacted to the speech with scorn.

George Sabra, vice president of the opposition National Coalition, told Reuters  the peace plan Assad put at the heart of his speech did "not even deserve to be  called an initiative."

Follow @NBCNewsWorld"We should see it rather as a declaration that he  will continue his war against the Syrian people," he said.

NBCNews